How to Apply Alignment in Excel Conditional Formatting

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We are familiar with diverse types of conditional formatting based on the criteria of various Excel users. However, in this article, we will discuss changing alignment using conditional formatting. Follow the steps and apply the necessary commands to apply alignment using excel conditional formatting.

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2 Examples to Apply Alignment with Conditional Formatting in Excel

1. Apply Right and Left Alignment for Text That Meets a Criteria

2. Align Numbers to Right, Center, and Left with Excel Conditional Formatting

Conclusion

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You can download the practice workbook from the following download button.

Conditional Formatting Alignment.xlsx

2 Examples to Apply Alignment with Conditional Formatting in Excel

To demonstrate alignment using conditional formatting, we have a sample data table like the image below. In this data table, we have columns for Item, Color, and Price.

1. Apply Right and Left Alignment for Text That Meets a Criteria

In Excel, the default text alignment is left alignment. In this method, we will see that any cell that meets a certain criterion will change its alignment. This change in alignment will happen in the reverse order i.e.- if cells are on left they will align right.

Number Format for Right Aligned Text:

#,##0* ;;;* @

📌 Steps:

First of all, we will select the Color column and then go through the following procedures: Home >> Conditional Formatting >> New Rule.

After clicking the New Rule, the New Formatting Rule pop-up will appear like the image below.

In the New Formatting Rule pop-up, we will select Use a formula to determine which cells to format >> enter the following formula in the box of Format values where this formula is true:

=$C5="Blue"

After that, we will select Format.

After selecting Format, Format Cells pop-up will appear.

In the Format Cells pop-up, we will go to Custom under the Number tab. Then we will enter the following formula:

#,##0* ;;;* @

Now we will click OK.

Now again in the New Formatting Rule, we will hit the OK.

In the following image, we are observing that Blue has changed its alignment from left to right using conditional formatting.

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2. Align Numbers to Right, Center, and Left with Excel Conditional Formatting

The default number alignment in Excel is the right alignment. In this procedure, each cell that fulfills a given set of criteria will have its alignment changed. This shift in alignment will occur in the opposite direction, so if cells are aligned to the right, they will align to the left.

For Center Alignment:

#,##0_) ;(#,##0)

For Left Alignment:

#,##0* ;;;* @

📌 Steps:

Now we will choose the Price column and proceed as follows: Home >> Conditional Formatting >> New Rule.

We will select Use a formula to determine which cells to format in New Formatting Rule >> enter the following formula in the box of Format values where this formula is true:

=$D5>15

And then, we will press Format.

The Format Cells window will emerge once you pick Format like the following image.

We will select Custom from the Number menu in the Format Cells pop-up. Then we will plug in the following formula shown in the image below:

#,##0_) ;(#,##0)

And we will press OK.

Once again, we will select OK to complete the procedures.

Now the result is in the following image that the cells containing values more than 15 have aligned in the middle.

Now, let us see how to align numbers to the left side. Do the following for that.

We will select Use a formula to determine which cells to format in the New Formatting Rule pop-up >> enter the following formula in the box of Format values where this formula is true:

=$D5>15

Following that, we will choose Format.

The Format Cells pop-up will appear once you select Format.

We will select Custom from the Number menu in the Format Cells pop-up. Then we will plug in the following formula:

#,##0* ;;;* @

We will now press the OK button.

For this time, we will now press the OK button in the New Formatting Rule.

Finally, in the accompanying figure, we can see that a number bigger than 15 has been shifted from right to left utilizing conditional formatting.

Note:

You can apply both rules and get the numbers in the left, middle, and right positions simultaneously.

Conclusion

Follow these steps and stages to excel in conditional formatting alignment. You are welcome to download the workbook and use it for your practice. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section of our blog ExcelDemy.